Daniel Ryland Updates
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 9:46 am
Hey everyone,
My first meet was yesterday in Einhoven, Holland. We
left here about 5 hours before the Pole Vault started
thinking that it ws going to take 2.5 hours, but it
only took us an hour to arrive, so I took a nap and
got ready early for the meet. The opening height was
14'9" and there were quite a few competitors, so after
a couple of hours, we were allowed to warm-up before
about 6 of us were ready to compete. I decided to
come in at 17'5" since the winds were a little back
and forth, I missed my 1st attempt and then made it
easily on my 2nd. Bubba who is traveling with me made
it on his 3rd, and there was a guy from Holland that
made 17'1" and passed 17'5", he has jumped 18-10 and
was the meet and stadium record holder, Bubba and I
decided to pass 17'9" and the Dutch guy missed all
three attempts. After about a 30 minute rain delay,
Bubba and I jumped at 18'1" I made it on my first
attempt, Bubba had good jumps at it, but was unable to
clear the height. I had the bar put at a new meet and
statium record of 18'5" and by this time, all the
other events were over and the entire crowd had stayed
to watch, it was one of the most incredible feelings
knowing that everyone was clapping for me. Because it
was a record, they took a good 20 minutes to measure
the bar wich was making me real nervous since there
was a large storm cloud forming just behind me, and I
knew that any minute the bottom could drop out and I
would be left soaked. I made 18'5" (5.61m) on my
first attempt with plenty of height to spare. Knowing
I probably dindn't have much time before the rain, and
it was getting dark on account of the heavy clouds, I
had them raise the bar to 19'.5" (5.80). I actually
was really close on every attempt, the second of which
nearly stayed on the pegs!! It was crazy, as soon as
I finished, the storm hit, and because the fans here
are so into track, I had to stand in the cold rain and
sign autographs for nearly 30 minutes.
On top of the fact that this was one of the most
amazing track experiences, I also made money for the
first time! Not enough to pay for my trip yet, but if
I can perform this well in the next few meets, I think
I will be able to pay my expenses over here! Also, I
feel really close to a break through, I looked at my
attempts at 19' and I know I can make that bar, and
maybe even 4" higher on a similar jump!
I am jumping Wednesday in a Castle in Germany, there
is supposed to be great competition. I will send a
report after that meet.
For those who are interested, the website for the meet
yesterday is not updated yet, but the address is
http://www.psvatletiek.nl/baancircuit/n ... chrono2004
hope all is well
Daniel
My first meet was yesterday in Einhoven, Holland. We
left here about 5 hours before the Pole Vault started
thinking that it ws going to take 2.5 hours, but it
only took us an hour to arrive, so I took a nap and
got ready early for the meet. The opening height was
14'9" and there were quite a few competitors, so after
a couple of hours, we were allowed to warm-up before
about 6 of us were ready to compete. I decided to
come in at 17'5" since the winds were a little back
and forth, I missed my 1st attempt and then made it
easily on my 2nd. Bubba who is traveling with me made
it on his 3rd, and there was a guy from Holland that
made 17'1" and passed 17'5", he has jumped 18-10 and
was the meet and stadium record holder, Bubba and I
decided to pass 17'9" and the Dutch guy missed all
three attempts. After about a 30 minute rain delay,
Bubba and I jumped at 18'1" I made it on my first
attempt, Bubba had good jumps at it, but was unable to
clear the height. I had the bar put at a new meet and
statium record of 18'5" and by this time, all the
other events were over and the entire crowd had stayed
to watch, it was one of the most incredible feelings
knowing that everyone was clapping for me. Because it
was a record, they took a good 20 minutes to measure
the bar wich was making me real nervous since there
was a large storm cloud forming just behind me, and I
knew that any minute the bottom could drop out and I
would be left soaked. I made 18'5" (5.61m) on my
first attempt with plenty of height to spare. Knowing
I probably dindn't have much time before the rain, and
it was getting dark on account of the heavy clouds, I
had them raise the bar to 19'.5" (5.80). I actually
was really close on every attempt, the second of which
nearly stayed on the pegs!! It was crazy, as soon as
I finished, the storm hit, and because the fans here
are so into track, I had to stand in the cold rain and
sign autographs for nearly 30 minutes.
On top of the fact that this was one of the most
amazing track experiences, I also made money for the
first time! Not enough to pay for my trip yet, but if
I can perform this well in the next few meets, I think
I will be able to pay my expenses over here! Also, I
feel really close to a break through, I looked at my
attempts at 19' and I know I can make that bar, and
maybe even 4" higher on a similar jump!
I am jumping Wednesday in a Castle in Germany, there
is supposed to be great competition. I will send a
report after that meet.
For those who are interested, the website for the meet
yesterday is not updated yet, but the address is
http://www.psvatletiek.nl/baancircuit/n ... chrono2004
hope all is well
Daniel
